Column: Hey GOP! Kasich gets it!

Mr. Kasich got off to a rocky start as governor of our state. He antagonized the media at his inauguration.

He passed legislation allowing guns in bars - alcohol and guns don't mix - and he was soundly beaten by a mix of Democrats and blue collar Republicans on the when he tried to limit collective bargaining rights in the public sector.

His popularity in the fall of 2011 was about as low as a snake's belly.

Recently, however, he has shown that he not only can change, but that he has a fundamental understanding of the reasons why the Republican Party is unpopular with many.

He has even found a formula for reaching out to Democrats and independents, which will undoubtedly not only help him win re-election but boost support for the GOP.

If he can do both of those things, he stands a chance to be in the running for the White House in 2016, whether the far right likes it or not.

How has Mr. Kasich pulled this off? There are three basic reasons.

First, he has shown genuine compassion for the poor, the sick and the downtrodden. His efforts to increase Medicaid coverage (which would be paid for, to the tune of 90 percent by 2020, by the federal government anyway) to thousands of Ohioans including 26,000 veterans and thousands more with mental illnesses, is both sensible and commendable. He has met with stiff resistance from conservatives, but has stuck to his principles.

Secondly, he has cut taxes and produced a surplus in the state. He has been relentless about cutting expenses and giving businesses incentives to grow in Ohio.

He understands that you have to grow your tax base, not grow your taxes. That is a lesson that Washington needs to learn, and I hope Mr. Kasich can take it there one day.

Finally, he has seen the hypocrisy. I understand he has deep Christian values that stress compassion for those less fortunate, a respect for life (he has commuted four death sentences, as well as Right to Life issues) and forgiveness. He has supported efforts to reform convicts and education alike.

In short, he has read the 10 Commandments. I am not a formally religious man, but I like the fact he has applied commonly understood, compassionate, Judeo-Christian principles to his work. He hasn't twisted the Bible to suit his agenda.

To his conservative critics I have one thing to say: The train is leaving the station. Start running, you might still get on board.

The relentless drumbeat of "no", the litany of narrow minded opinions on anything from marriage to workers rights to immigration, have cost you two Presidential elections and will cost you the next one as well - unless you embrace newer and fairer values.